During October 2024, the iconic Redstar Raceway echoed delighted laughter from the young LUCCA learners and the squeal of tyres as the SkellyWags Drift and Racing Academy drivers demonstrated their skills. The LUCCA Drift Day Out was the brainchild of SkellyWags owners Mikey Skelton and Andre Leibbrandt, intending to thank their partners (including Motul) for their support and to raise money for the incredible kids from the LUCCA Support and Care Centre.
This unique school, located in Ferndale, provides a nurturing environment where children aged from birth to 21 can flourish despite navigating diverse abilities and physical obstacles. LUCCA stands for “Loved Uplifted Carefree Cherished Angels”. It was founded by Alison Moschetta in 2014 when she was unable to find a suitable school for her differently-abled son, Lucca.
The LUCCA Drift Day Out combined the thrill of drifting with a great family occasion, and the opportunity to raise funds for the school’s Coding and Robotics Programme and the LUCCA SkillBuilders Academy which is due to open in January 2025. This new centre will enhance the schools’ ability to help each special needs child reach their full potential.
With a turnout of 125 people on the day including kids, parents and teachers from the school, the LUCCA Drift Day Out was a fantastic experience. Most of the children got to enjoy a “spin” on the track including Lucca himself, who drew on all his courage and charisma as he pushed himself out of his comfort zone.
“This year’s inaugural LUCCA Drift Charity Day was a great success thanks to the dedication, support, and love shown by drifting fans from across South Africa,” commented Mikey Skelton of SkellyWags Drifting Academy. “I’d also like to thank our SkellyWags partners for their generous contributions of time and resources which helped to uplift the LUCCA Drift Day Out,” he added.
“It was great to see the joy on the faces of these very special children and the staff of LUCCA, as they and their families enjoyed simply having fun and forgetting about their challenges,” commented Mercia Jansen, Motul General Manager for Southern and Eastern Africa. “We’d like to congratulate Mikey and Andre on this initiative – at Motul, we know how important it is to be caring as well as daring, and we are proud to partner with organisations like Skellywags as we look to create heartfelt moments and lasting memories through our support and participation in grassroots motorsport events,” she added.
“At LUCCA, we’re committed to celebrating each child’s potential,” commented Ashley Heine, the school’s Admin, Media and Sports Manager. “Thanks to the fabulous support of SkellyWags Drift and Racing Academy and their partners, including Motul, we’ll be able to offer even better and more inclusive education to the kids at LUCCA,” he added.
“Events like this make it possible for us to keep the doors open at what is a unique school for unique children,” explained Cherié Heine, LUCCA Centre Manager and Ashley’s wife. “We’re extremely grateful for the support from SkellyWags, the sponsors, and all the drifting fans and their families who made this such a special occasion,” she added.
If you would like to contribute to the fundraising efforts and vital work at LUCCA, visit their Facebook page LUCCA Support and Care Centre and buy a raffle ticket to stand a chance to win R25 000 in prizes, including a laptop, watch, SkellyWags ProDrift Course and more. Tickets cost just R100 and will be on sale until December.
Follow Motul South Africa on Facebook and Instagram to see more events supported by Motul and for the latest updates on its superior products.
